Third-party candidate Tom Tancredo has snagged a few more Republican endorsements in his quest to become the next Republican governor.

Confusing, yes. But Tancredo, who abandoned the GOP to register with the American Constitution Party about two months ago, says he will govern as a Republican. And who knows? If he wins, he might change his affiliation back to Republican after taking office.

Former Republican U.S. Congressman Bob Schaffer
Former Republican State Senator Tom Wiens
Former Republican State Representative and Minority Leader Joe Stengel
Former Republican State Representative and former Arapahoe County Assessor Jim Reeves
Former Republican State Representative Lauri Clapp
Former Republican State Representative Ruth Prendergast
Former Republican State Representative Eric Prinzler
Former Democrat State Representative E.E. Casey Hayes
Republican Arapahoe County Commissioner Jim Dyer

This whole prediction thing ought to have some real mojo behind it, so why not hear from an au-then-tic New Year’s baby?

I was born Jan. 1, 1967, so that should give me an edge. (Though FYI, every time I made a months-out prediction in 2008, I was way off. Most tellingly: If I had been correct a year ago, it would have been Hillary vs. Romney on Nov. 4, and Hillary would have won. (And she would have.))

Here are my Baker’s Dozen.

1. Mayor John Hickenlooper will be our next senator.

In his absence, Denverites will be treated to a wild and crazy special election for his replacement. With no requirement for a runoff election, this one could go to a surprise candidate, but I’m predicting:

2. Former House Speaker Andrew Romanoff will be Denver’s new mayor.

I admit that I make this prediction because I think Hickenlooper would be a great senator for Colorado, and because I think Romanoff would continue the bipartisan and entrepreneurial leadership here in the Mile High City that Hickenlooper’s administration has given us.

3. Former Gov. Bill Owens will enter the senate race for 2010.

4. Former Rep. Tom Tancredo will launch a campaign to unseat Gov. Bill Ritter in 2010.

5. Barack Obama’s huge infrastructure and economic stimulus plan will help Colorado lawmakers find a way to craft a “Let’s Get Moving Again” campaign to add fees and tolls to back bonds and begin solving our transportation needs.

6. That bleepin’ Illinois governor kills Chicago’s chances to host the Summer Olympic Games in 2016, and our governor leverages Denver’s triumphant hosting of the Democratic National Convention to nail the Winter Olympics in 2018.

Wait, that’s two predictions. (I warned you I have struggled with this in the past.) So:

8. Obama and the Democratically controlled everything will add a total of $100 billion to the bailout loan package already given to American automakers.

9. It won’t do any good.

10. Comedian Al Franken will be Minnesota’s new senator, and that will be a hoot.

11. Republicans aren’t good at licking their wounds. They tire quickly of navel-gazing and prefer action. Watch for more coherent messages and strategies coming out of the Grand Old Party later in ’09.

12. Oprah Winfrey will lose those 40-odd pounds.

13. Britney Spears will fall off the wagon.

So we’ll see. But whatever happens, here’s hoping you have a Happy New Year!

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.